Jane Hall (62) and her husband Geoff (70) spearheaded a money-spinning campaign which culminated in a special opening ceremony.

Over 12 months, the couple carried out stunts including dressing as clowns to raise £2,000 for the Malawi village of Nyungwe.

“The first event for this appeal was a jumble sale in June 2007,” said Mrs Hall.

“We set ourselves a challenge to raise the money in one year by June 2008.”

They also organised dominoes drives at Sandsend, Lythe, Sleights and Mickleby.

At the last minute they were just £200 short until a mystery benefactor came forward.

Every two-and-a-half years, Mrs Hall comes up with a fund-raising idea for different causes – one at home and one abroad.

She chose Nyungwe village after colleague Maines Msiska at Hawksgarth Lodge care home explained the need for it.

Nyungwe village has a population of approximately 45,000 people who mainly depend upon farming to earn their living, cultivating maize, rice and cotton.

The rest of the harvests are sold for income for groceries, clothes, and to pay school fees for children.

Three-quarters of their time is taken up with farming, the average income being approximately £2,000-£3,000, the equivalent of £35 per month.

Mrs Hall learned the area had just three boreholes – one at the health centre, 1km away where water was mainly used for patients and guardians and although prohibited, other people still used it.

The school borehole water was used for other purposes, not drinking, because of rust.

Beyond the school, 1km away, a borehole at the church was earmarked for pastors and church members and that is where drinking water was obtained.

But thanks to the Halls’ efforts, the villagers now have a brand new bore hole and sent photos to Mrs Hall to illustrate their delight.

The challenge for another bore hole in the next village has now been taken up by David Senior in addition to his jam jar appeals for Christian Aid.

Mr Senior holds fund-raising stalls outside St Ninian’s Church on Baxtergate on Mondays or Thursdays, weather permitting.

Anyone who can help Mr Senior with ideas or donations can call at 4 The Esplanade, Whitby.

Mrs Hall is taking a well-earned rest but has has masterminded her next fund-raising scheme which she will reveal next autumn.